The National tribune., 1887-12-01
OUR RURAL TOPICS,
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
FARMERS CONVENTIONS.

is 70 arrange the program OF exercises for meet
ings in which are 10 be assembled the "hard-
listed farmers. While farmers, as a rule, are
men of intelligence and judgment, in so far
as relates TO the necessities of their occupations,
they are not what would be termed educated
men, and make no preten5ion toward being
such; for that reason it is not best that the talk
at farmers meetings and conventions should be
SO intensely scientific as to go away above the
comprehension of theaverage man. There are
no scientific truths connected with agriculture
but that can and may just as we'll be expressed
in Ineligible language, so far as relates to the
audience, as to give it in technical terms un-
derstOod only by the student of science. How
ever desirable it may be that every farmer be
acquainted with the sciences that are connected
with the labors of his occupation, he il not so,
and that situation must beaccepted as il is rather
than as it should be. Farmers enjoy a lecture
or address that is Invested of purely technical
terms much better than they do one that scars
so loftily in science as to be far above their
comprehension. Farmers like to listen to
plain truths plainly spoken, but when they
are wrapped about with incomprehensible
terms they are inclined TO doubt even the truth.
Then, gentlemen who are to address farmers,
we say to you in the language of quaint say
ing, fire low and save your wadding."-Gsr-
ndHtOuCH Telegraph.
ANALYSIS OF FODDER ARTICLEs
1t is becoming of importance to farmers to
know more regarding the matter Of feeding
than has been known in the past. Two very
important books treating wholly upon the SUBJ
ject of feeding are - Armsby's Manual of Cat
tie Feeding" and Stewards Feeding AMI
mails" both extensive and important works
aud such as farmers may study with profit
during Winter evenings. The value of any
fodder depends upon the digestibility of its
nutritive elements.
For some time the dependence of this coun-
try was upon the Germs experimenters for
such information rs was required concerning
various folders aud their digestibility but
since the establishment of our Experiment
Stations the work of study of this question
has been pursued with much determination
and vigor, and important results have been OBJ
tanned.
The ratio of the digestible protein compounds
to the fat fiber and acknowledgements matter
that is digestible is denominated the nutritive
ratio; this determines the feeding value The
Massachusetts Experiment Station has been
engaged in an investigation of the feeding value
OF different fodder articles, the results of
which ought to be in the hands of all farmers
These results are not made as widely known
as they ought TO be.
IMPORTANCE OF GOOD ROADS.
IL is a mistaken idea that there is any saving
in being close in the expenditure of money for
the repair Of public roads. 1t is too apt to be
the case that there is disposition TO cut short
the allowance for road repairs, for the reason
that it appears to be an expenditure for which
there IS no visible returns. 1t should be re-
membered that public roads are public con-
venicnce and necessity, and for which the
public should pay their taxes as willingly and
freely as they would for any other public
object. Good roads are an actual necessity for
the proper protection of those who travel over
them. Every owner of a horse and carriage
knows full well that passage over poor roads
involves danger Of injury 20 both horses and
carriage, and, from possible accident, to persons
also. 1t is far better for farmers to pay their
taxes for the proper and perfect repair of roads,
than il is to be compelled to pay for repairs to
vehicles, to say nothing of the saving to the
team, in hauling loads over a good road instead
of one that is rough and liable to result in
injury TO the animal.
NOTES.
Save the wood ashes to use as fertilizer.
1t is more profitable than TO sell them to the
soapmakers. Wood ashes never come amiss on
the farm or in the garden.
Fence corners are the pest-holes of the
farm. From them spring nearly all the weed
seed and undesirable grasses which are scattered
over the fields.
Shut the cows into the barn now. Frost
bitten grass is not the food 20 make milk and
butter from, aud serves TO injure the appetite
for the much better food that has been stored
for their use. Cows will gain in milk, and the
butter made from il will be of better quality if
they are now confined TO the barn
A correspondent OF the Nelp England Farmer
writes 10 claim profit OF s35.49 on single set
ting Of thoroughbred Plymouth Rock eggs.
from which he raised ~ chickens, in a year
But he sold the eggs at 81 cents dozen, where
as had he received the customary shilling il
would have largely diminished his profits
The advantages OF having calves come In
the Fall are that the heaviest flow of milk is
thus secured at a time when dairy products are
at their highest price. and the calves, after
being fed the most Of the Winter on skim milk
with a very little oil meal mixed therein, are
ready to turn on grass in the Spring as soon
as IL comes, and thus get the full benefit of
summers pasture when more able 10 stand the
flies.
The agronomical stations in France, fol-
lowing the example Of those in Germany, now
deliver forms of contract to farmers, to have
llled up by seedsmen, manure lubricants and
implement makers, binding these furnisAers to
deliver their goods according to samples pre-
viously deposited at the stations. 1t will be a
decided change In the present methods of con-
Quoting business with farmers when each party
insists upon having a contract.
- Ii is reported that English grain-growers
are experiencing much trouble from new in
sect pest. 1t is known 10 scientists As cephus
pygenus, or "saw-hy." The grub Of this pest
crawls up and down the inside of the stem,
gnawing rings nearly through the walls. When
the wind sways the gnawed stalks they lop
over. The cocoon Of the grub Is made in roots
of grain under the ground, the fly appearing
the next season. The only cure found effective
Is 10 break and burn the stubble.
To kill gophers Minnesota farmer says
take small bottle Of strychnine and pulyerizs
IL, mixing IL with half y pint OF grease fried
out OF the best breakfast bacon. Put this mix
ture into i've or six quarts of corn, and stir until
every grain is thoroughly CREASED over. Strew
these savory kernels three or four feet apart
around the entire field On the edge of the plow-
ing. The gophers generally barrow in the
unbroken sod near by. They smell the bacon
and get the poison immediately and continue
TO come to the feast until ali are quieted.
A Cough, Cold. or Sore Throat should not be
neglected. BRows's BRONCHIAL TRocHEs are a
simple remedy and give prompt relief 25eis. box.
She Married Him.
Said an aged matron once: